Byrne was also only 21 at the start of last season and had international wingers ahead of him. The question on a guy like Kelleher is whether he is better than the options available? Tend to think not at the moment, Lowe arriving next season and the academy still producing talent like Larmour.

I'm a big fan of Kellehers. Always have been and wished we'd taken a chance on him. I've watched him closely at Conn to see how he'd fair and as far as I can see he's pretty much the same player he was here. He can be electric with the ball in hand, a lethal finisher, but he's also a poor defender, both position-ally and in tackling (think Adam Byrne, only worse).

The thing is, there is a tendency for teams (and supporters) at the moment to ignore poor defence in the back three as long as they are banging in the tries. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it is a thing, and when it comes to the top two inches, against the best teams it usually comes back to bite ye. I think Leo and Stuart L know this and that's why Adam Byrne didn't start last Sunday.

Having said all that I would have liked CK to stay and see if we could fix his defensive issues. If he does, he'll be some player.

No its ok. Dave has told us his is certainly right and we should listen to him! Kirchner has proved to be the wrong choice when they chose to extend his deal and tell one of our own wingers that he's a better player. He's not. Kirchner has had 2 very poor seasons and the fact that only the dragons offered him a deal tells it's own story.

Ok. Not sure that's a great reason not to pick a guy if hrs a bit of a gobshite. I'll take a gobshite who scores tries over a nice guy who doesn't. Had high hopes for Kirchner but turned out to big a big disappointment. Hasn't really nailed down any position and sd never have been on the bench at the weekend.

What frustrates me about Kelleher is that he's had basic flaws in his game since school but has done very little about them. Been very inconsistent for Connacht from what I've seen. Started poorly and then hit some great form in attack but would still make mistakes. I think he could be a a brilliant player (wouldn't have said that a couple of years ago) but don't want him back here. We have plenty of talent here now and don't think we need to clog up the back three.

The difference between our back three options next September and 18 months previous to that will be incredible.

LeinsterLeader wrote:I'm a big fan of Kellehers. Always have been and wished we'd taken a chance on him. I've watched him closely at Conn to see how he'd fair and as far as I can see he's pretty much the same player he was here. He can be electric with the ball in hand, a lethal finisher, but he's also a poor defender, both position-ally and in tackling (think Adam Byrne, only worse).

The thing is, there is a tendency for teams (and supporters) at the moment to ignore poor defence in the back three as long as they are banging in the tries. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but it is a thing, and when it comes to the top two inches, against the best teams it usually comes back to bite ye. I think Leo and Stuart L know this and that's why Adam Byrne didn't start last Sunday.

Having said all that I would have liked CK to stay and see if we could fix his defensive issues. If he does, he'll be some player.

The defence thing is both good and bad.It's bad that the issue exists but it's a good test of the players' ability to properly address the problem.If a player with the help of the coaches can't fix or at least seriously improve the issue then he doesn't have what it takes to get to the top level.Lancaster and Byrne should be working overtime on his main issue, which is coming in off his wing.It would also be great to see him on the Japanese tour because a word in his ear (has probably already happened) from Joe could spur him on.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.

carlow man wrote:Ok. Not sure that's a great reason not to pick a guy if hrs a bit of a gobshite. I'll take a gobshite who scores tries over a nice guy who doesn't. Had high hopes for Kirchner but turned out to big a big disappointment. Hasn't really nailed down any position and sd never have been on the bench at the weekend.

Would certainly disagree with that viewpoint. If a player is a "bit of a gobshite" and doesn't work on his weaknesses with coaching staff, his influence becomes corrosive and any successful Coach knows its time to move him on.

Sarries and Jones both understand that Ashton has a lot of football talent and scores lots of tries, but neither want to retain him in Squads. (And no, I don't know him personally but do know Coaches who have worked with him previously).